Musical instruments are recognized as devices for producing a musical sound. The principal types of instruments are classified by the methods of producing sound, such as percussion, stringed, keyboard, wind and electronic. Musical instruments are almost universal components of human culture, ranging from the entertainment of concert audiences to the accompaniment of dances, rituals, work and therapy. Musical instruments have been used since earliest times for a variety of purposes.
Playing an instrument allows a child to create, store and retrieve memories more effectively. Watch this video from TED-ED that explains how playing an instrument is like a total workout for the brain.
Playing an instrument takes time, patience and practice. Children will feel a sense of achievement and pride when they reach their goals in their music lessons or music therapy.
Hand-eye coordination can be improved through playing an instrument, where the conversion of reading music in the brain to the physical motion of playing the instrument requires the brain to work at advanced speeds.
Music and math are highly intertwined in terms of understanding beat, rhythm and scales. Children can learn how to divide, create fractions and recognize patterns.
Children and teens need to identify a note on the page and recognize which note (pitch) to play on their instrument, how long to hold it, what finger to use and how loudly to play it. All of these activities which requires comprehension and constant reading can help in reading and understanding literature in school classes.
From oiling to tuning to cleaning, most instruments require some kind of maintenance or upkeep. This encourages children to stay on top of instrument maintenance which can create a sense of responsibility for them.
Music theory has a deep history and is taught as part of musical instruction. The composition of music that is based on the era it was composed in is known as a reflection of the culture. Children can have a deeper understanding of the origins of music they are playing and they may become more attached to it.
As music therapy benefits children in terms of the ability to express themselves, children who play an instrument are able to find themselves creatively. Children can find a way to express their feeling by learning how to express themselves and their complex feelings through music.
Playing an instrument requires children listen carefully to an array of different things which are not limited to instructions from their teacher or music therapists, they need to listen for rhythm, pitch and tempo as well. This concentration will improve their skills in music and in life too.
During a group setting music therapy session, this requires children and teens to work together on a specific sound or song. Through interaction with other kids, this will give them the opportunity to make friends and improve their social skills.